The Christmas season...

I love this time of year...sure I love the family, the food, giving gifts and all of that but most of all I love that every Christmas season I am reminded of how blessed I truly am. I was fortunate enough to be a helper at the "North Pole" this year. One of our clients creates a North Pole every year for children from poverty-level schools to come and visit. The kids get to do all sorts of things - ride on a little train, write letters to Santa, pick out a gift for a family member and wrap it, visit with Santa, pick out a toy for themselves and much more. I was "Santa's helper" - my job was to send the kids up one by one to Santa and hand them a coloring book as they went up. One particular little girl really touched me...
Little girl: "Who are those coloring books for?"
Me: "Well they are for you!"
Girl: "Do we get to keep them?!" (eyes brighten)
Me: "Yep, it is all for you!"
Girl: "AND we get to pick a present?!"
Me: "Yes!"
Girl: "For free?!"
Me: "Yes, all for free!"
Girl: "This is the best day ever!"
It really touched my heart - these kids weren't getting much - a two dollar coloring book and and ten dollar toy, but yet it meant the world to them.
After the event was over (these guys do this for three weeks! I of course only helped with one day), Santa came up to me and said do you know what most of the kids say when I ask them what their favorite part of today was? They open their bags and say look what I bought for my family! (The gift they get to wrap for a family member)
I hope I can come back to this post when I am having one of my "bad days" so that I can always be reminded that maybe my day really isn't so bad and that I am very blessed.

On another Christmas note, most of you have probably read this poem before but I just love it and I think everyone should read it every Christmas season. Brings tears to my eyes...God Bless the American soldier!

A SOLDIER'S CHRISTMAS

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this little house lived.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No Stockings by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
A sobering thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
The home of a soldier, I could now see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
Not how I picture a United States Soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wondering how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to one knee and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry, for this life is my choice".

I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
My life is my God, my country, my corps."

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,
as we both shivered from the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave, on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honor, so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa...., It's Christmas Day...., All is secure. "

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend.... and to all a Good Night.

~ Author Unknown *~